Few of us have been in a situation where we had to use CPR, or where we saw someone else performing CPR. While it is fairly rare to do so, there are more cases than you might think. You never know how many people in your community might have needed CPR in the past or how many will need it soon in the future. There are all sorts of things that create a situation in which a person might need CPR. Don’t just assume that because you work in an office you won’t need CPR. CPR is not something needed only in industrial accidents. It is also not something that is only needed among adults. There are plenty of cases in which a child might need CPR or where a child might need to perform CPR on an adult. Obviously it would be better to have an adult perform CPR on another adult because of the need for strength and size. However, if an adult is not present or if an adult is present who does not know how to perform CPR, an older child could perform CPR on an adult and they could certainly perform CPR on another child. As a parent is can be difficult to know when and how much to teach your child about CPR. What you will need to teach your child about CPR depends a great deal on the age and abilities of your children. You don’t want to teach a preschooler about CPR. They simply lack the strength and ability to perform it. They also would probably never be able to determine when someone needed CPR. It is more important to teach preschoolers how to get help, either by calling 911 or by getting the help of an adult.
With older children you can assume that a little CPR training is appropriate. Obviously a child needs to have the strength to perform the cardio pumping that is such an important part of the procedure. The first thing to teach any child or adult about a major medical situation requiring CPR is that you absolutely need to contact the authorities. Emphasize this point, and particularly with children. Realize that kids might not have the skills to recognize what is going on. They might make mistakes in CPR and they might panic. The point is that before the child starts performing CPR they need to contact the authorities. Make sure that the child understands the necessary breath to pump ratios and how to check for signs of breathing and heart activity. Make sure to teach the child only in a professional manner and with the correct information. If you don’t know how to perform CPR yourself you need to have a professional there to teach them. And even if you do know how it would probably be good to have a professional there to correct any of your mistakes. With the aid of professional teach your kids first aid and make sure that they know what they are doing when the professional leaves. Quiz them on the procedure in the years after and make sure to do some training with them every year or two to make sure that they understand.
Teaching a child how to perform CPR could save the life of a loved one or of a complete stranger. In either case you are giving your child the power to help in a situation and to make a difference. Children usually feel helpless in serious emergencies. Help them feel confident in their ability to handle whatever is thrown at them. Teach them CPR at the appropriate age and the life they save could be your own.
Related posts:
